The Revolutionary Capital
A Dunlap broadside, a 1600s garrison, and the night the saucers came.
Exeter was New Hampshire's capital while the revolution was being decided — and it still holds an original Dunlap broadside of the Declaration of Independence. Walk it all: the bandstand at the heart of town, a log garrison house from the 1600s, the powder house on the river, Louis Kahn's library masterpiece on the Academy lawn — and keep one eye on the sky, because in 1965 this town had the most famous UFO sighting in New England, and it never forgot.
The stops
The 1916 bandstand at the dead center of town. Team photo on the steps — and one alien pose, because this is UFO Festival ground and the town leans in.
Home of an original Dunlap broadside — the Declaration as it was first printed, July 1776. Photo at the Ladd-Gilman House + the best fact a docent gives you, on video.
A 1600s log garrison built to survive raids — the timbers are the walls. Fortress-face team photo at the corner post.
Lincoln spoke here in 1860. One teammate delivers one ringing sentence from the steps — topic free, conviction mandatory.
The Academy lawn + Louis Kahn's library — one of the great buildings of the 20th century, giant circles and all. Architecture-appreciation pose framing the facade.
The town kept its gunpowder in this little 1771 brick keep across the river. Photo with it + the river behind; guard duty stances.
Finish along the Squamscott where the falls meet the tide. Whole team at the water — revolutionary capital, conquered. Watch the sky on the way out.